Millie Cooper

Pioneer —

A DOZEN OR MORE SETTLERS and several slaves were killed in the Boonslick area from the opening of hostilities in 1812 until the close of the war in 1815. A number of interesting stories about this period have been recorded, but one of the most interesting ones concerns young Millie Cooper. 

As the story goes, Cooper’s Fort (near Boonville) was surrounded by American Indians, and Cooper’s father decided that someone needed to ride to neighboring Fort Hempstead for help. Since there were so few men at Cooper’s Fort at the time, it was felt that none of them could be spared, so young Cooper, only 15 years old, volunteered. Her father ordered the best horse in the fort to be saddled for her, and as she was about to leave, he asked if there was anything else she needed. “Only a spur, father,” she replied, and then galloped out of the fort. Riding through a hail of bullets and arrows, she disappeared in the distance as the American Indians renewed their attack on the fort.

A fierce battle raged for several hours, but then a shout was heard and the besieged settlers were relieved to see a band of their fellows from Fort Hempstead led by Cooper coming to their aid. For her courage, she was considered one of the heroes of the war.

Millie Cooper was born January 25, 1796 in Madison County Kentucky and died on October 10,1869.